ATHENS, Ga. — Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart officially was named coach at Georgia on Sunday, and he takes over after spending the past nine seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Smart — a Georgia alum — is expected to stay with the Crimson Tide through its postseason run. At almost exactly the same time that Smart was announced as Georgia’s coach, it also was announced that Alabama will play Michigan State in a semifinal of the College Football Playoff.
“It’s an honor and privilege to return home to the University of Georgia and my home state,” Smart said in a statement released by the school.